Matthew 27

 

 1 When the (*) morning was come, all the chief Priests, and the Elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, to put him to death;

 

(*) Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66; John 18:28 .

 

 2 And led him away bound, and (*) delivered him unto Pontius Pilate the governor.

 

(*) For they had no authority to condemn him or to put any to death.

 

 3  ¶ (1) Then when Judas which betrayed him, saw that he was condemned, (*) he repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief Priests, and Elders,

 

(1) An example of the horrible judgment of God, as well against them which sell Christ, as against them which buy Christ.

(*) Over late repentance bringeth desperation.

 

 4 Saying, I have (*) sinned, betraying the innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? (♣) See thou to it.

 

(*) Although he abhor his sins, yet is he not displeased therewith, but despaireth in God’s mercies, and seeketh his own destruction.

(♣) These hypocrites lay the whole fault upon Judas.

 

 5 And when he had cast down the silver pieces in the Temple, he (a) departed, and went, (*) and hanged himself.

 

(a) Out of men’s sights.

(*) Acts 1:18 .

 

 6 And the chief Priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not (*) lawful for us to put them into the (b) (♣) treasure, because it is the price (c) of blood.

 

(*) The hypocrites are full of conscience in a matter of nothing, but to shed innocent blood they make nothing at it.

(b) The treasure of the Temple.

(♣) Or, corbana.
(c) Of life and death.

 

 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them a potter’s field, for the burial of (d) (*) strangers.

 

(d) Strangers and guests, whom the Jews could not abide to be joined unto, no not after they were dead.

(*) For the Jews thought it a great offence to be buried in the same place that the strangers were.

 

 8 Wherefore that field is called, (*) The field of blood, until this day.

 

(*) Acts 1:19 .

 

 9 (Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by (e) Jeremiah the Prophet, saying, (*) (f) And they took thirty silver pieces, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel valued.

 

(e) Seeing this prophecy is read in Zechariah 11:12; it cannot be denied, but Jeremiah's name crept into the text, either through the Printer’s fault, or some other ignorance; it may be also that it came out of the margin, by reason of the abbreviation on of the letters, the one being iou, and the other being zou, which are not much unlike; but in the Syrian text the Prophet's name is not set down at all.

(*) Zechariah 11:12 .
(f) The Evangelist doth not follow the Prophet's words, but his meaning, which he sheweth to be fulfilled.

 

 10 And they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.)

 

 11  ¶ (2) (*) And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou that King of the Jews? Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest it.

 

(2) Christ holdeth his peace when he is accused, that we may not be accused; acknowledging our guiltiness, and therewithal his own innocency.

(*) Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3; John 18:33 . 

 

 12 And when he was accused of the chief Priests, and Elders, he answered nothing.

 

 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they lay against thee?

 

 14 But he answered him not to one word, in so much that the governor marveled greatly.

 

 15  (3) Now at the feast the governor was wont to (*) deliver unto the people a (♣) prisoner whom they would.

 

(3) Christ is first acquitted of the same Judge, before he be condemned, that we might see how the just dies for the unjust.

(*) Or, quit.

(♣) It was a tradition of the Jews to deliver a prisoner at Passover.

 

 16 And they had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas.

 

 17 When they were then gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whether will ye that I let loose unto you Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

 

 18 (For he knew well, that for envy they had delivered him.)

 

 19 Also when he was set down upon the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, (*) Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream by reason of him.)

 

(*) This was to the greater condemnation of Pilate, whom neither his own knowledge could teach nor counsel of others, to defend Christ’s innocency.

 

 20  (*) But the chief Priests and the Elders had persuaded the people that they should ask Barabbas, and should destroy Jesus.

 

(*) Mark 15:11; Luke 23:18; John 18:40; Acts 3:14 .

 

 21 Then the governor answered, and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I let loose unto you? And they said, (*) Barabbas.

 

(*) The multitude prefer the wicked to the righteous.

 

 22 Pilate said unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ? They all said to him, Let him be crucified.

 

 23 Then said the governor, But what evil hath he done? Then they cried the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

 

 24  (4) When Pilate saw that he availed nothing, but that more tumult was made, he took water and (g) washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the (h) blood of this (*) just man; look you to it.

 

(4) Christ being quit by the testimony of the Judge himself, is not withstanding condemned by the same to quit us before God.
(g) It was a manner in old time, when any man was murdered, and in other slaughters, to wash their hands in water, to declare themselves guiltless.
(h) Of the murder; an Hebrew kind of speech.

(*) Pilate beareth witness that he is innocent, before he condemn him.

 

 25 Then answered all the people, and said, (i) (*) His blood be on us, and on our children.

 

(i) If there be any offence committed in slaying him, let us and our posterity smart for it.

(*) If his death be not lawful, let the punishment fall on our heads and our children’s; and as they wished, so this curse taketh place to this day.

 

 26 Thus let he Barabbas loose unto them, and scourged Jesus, and delivered him to be crucified.

 

 27  ¶ (*) Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered about him the whole band.

 

(*) Mark 15:16; John 19:2 .

 

 28  (5) And they stripped him, and (k) put about him a (l) (*) scarlet robe.

 

(5) Christ suffereth that reproach which was due to our sins, notwithstanding in the mean time by the secret providence of God, he is entitled King by them which did him that reproach.
(k) They cast a cloak about him, and wrapped it around him, for it lacked sleeves.
(l) John and Mark make mention of a purple robe, which is also a very pleasant red. But these profane and male part fancy soldiers clad Jesus in this array, to mock him withal, who was indeed a true King.

(*) To deride him, because he called himself a King.

 

 29 And platted a crown of thorns, and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand, and bowed their knees before him, and mocked him, saying, God save thee King of the Jews;

 

 30 And spitted upon him, and took a reed, and smote him on the head.

 

 31 Thus when they had mocked him, they took the robe from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

 

 32  (*) And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon; him they (m) compelled to bear his cross.

 

(*) Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26 .

(m) They compelled Simon to bear his burdensome cross, whereby it appeareth that Jesus was so sore handled before, that he fainted by the way, and was not able to bear his cross through; for John writeth that he did bear the cross, to wit, at the beginning.

 

 33  (*) (6) And when they came unto the place called Golgotha, (that is to say, the place of dead mens’ skulls.)

 

(*) Mark 15:22; John 19:17 .

(6) He is led out of the city, that we may be brought into the heavenly kingdom.

 

 34  (7) They gave him (*) vinegar to drink, mingled with gall; and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

 

(7) Christ found no comfort anywhere, that in him we might be filled with all comfort.

(*) It was a kind of drink to open the veins, and so hasten his death, which was given him upon the cross.

 

 35  ¶ (8) And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, and did cast lots, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, (*) They divided my garments among them, and upon my vesture did cast lots.

 

(8) He is made a curse, that in him we may be blessed; he is spoiled of his garments, that we might be enriched by his nakedness.

(*) Psalm 22:18; Mark 15:24 .

 

 36 And they sat and watched him there.

 

 37  ¶ (9) They set up also over his head his cause written, (*) THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 

(9) He is pronounced the true Messiah, even of them of who he is rejected.

(*) The manner then was to set up a writing to signify wherefore a man was executed; but here God governed Pilate’s hand to write otherwise than he thought.

 

 38  ¶ (10) And there were two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

 

(10) Christ began then to judge the world, when after his judgment he hung between two thieves.

 

 39  (11) And they that passed by, reviled him, wagging their heads,

 

(11) To make full satisfaction for us, Christ suffereth and overcometh, not only the torments of the body, but also the most horrible torments of the mind.

 

 40 And saying, (*) Thou that destroyest the Temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

 

(*) John 2:19 .

 

 41 Likewise also the high Priests mocking him, with the Scribes, and Elders, and Pharisees, said,

 

 42 He saved others, but he cannot save himself. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him.

 

 43  (*) He (♣) trusted in God, let him deliver him now, if he will have him, for he said, I am the Son of God.

 

(*) Psalm 22:9 .

(♣) This was a great tentation, to go about to take from him his trust in God, and so to bring him to despair.

 

 44 The selfsame thing also the (n) (*) thieves which were crucified with him, cast in his teeth.

 

(n) This is spoken by the figure of Synecdoche, for there was but one of them that did revile him.

(*) Meaning by this Synecdoche the one of the thieves.

 

 45  (12) Now from the (*) sixth hour was there darkness over all the (♣) land, unto the ninth hour.

 

(12) Heaven itself is darkened for very horror, and Jesus crieth out from the depth of hell, and in the mean while he is mocked.

(*) That was from noon till three of the clock.

(♣) Of Jewry and their country there about.

 

 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, (*) Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, (♣) My God, my God, why hast thou (o) forsaken me?

 

(*) Psalm 22:1 .

(♣) Notwithstanding that he feeleth himself as it were wounded with God’s wrath and forsaken for our sins, yet he ceaseth not to put his confidence in God and call upon him; which is written to teach us in all afflictions to trust still in God, be the assaults never so grievous to the flesh.

(o) To wit, in this misery; and this crying out is proper to his humanity, which notwithstanding was void of sin, but yet felt the wrath of God which is due to our sins.

 

 47 And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth (p) (*) Elijah.

 

(p) They allude to Elijah's name, not for want of understanding the tongue, but of a profane impudency and sauciness, and he repeated these words, to the end that this better harping upon the name might be understood.

(*) They mocked at Christ’s prayer, as if it had been in vain.

 

 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took (*) a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a (♣) reed, and gave him to drink.

 

(*) Psalm 69:21 .

(♣) Or, hyssop stalk.

 

 49 Others said, Let be, let us see if Elijah will come and save him.

 

 50  (13) Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up the (*) ghost.

 

(13) Christ after he had overcome other enemies, at length provoketh and setteth upon death itself.

(*) Voluntarily after he had obeyed his Father in all things.

 

 51  (14) And behold, (*) the (q) (♣) veil of the Temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom, and the earth did quake, and the stones were (♠) cloven.

 

(14) Christ, when he is dead, sheweth himself to be God almighty, and even his enemies confessing the same.

(*) 2 Chronicles 3:13 .
(q) Which divided the holiest of all.

(♣) Which signified an end of all the ceremonies of the Law.

(♠) Or, split in two as a cloven foot of an animal.

 

 52 And the (r) graves did open themselves, and many bodies of the Saints, which slept, arose,

 

(r) That is to say, the stones clave in sunder, and the graves did open themselves, to shew by this token, that death was overcome; and the resurrection of the dead followed the resurrection of Christ, as appeareth by the next verse following.

 

 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the (*) holy city, and appeared unto many.

 

(*) Or, Jerusalem.

 

 54 When the Centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly (*) this was the Son of God.

 

(*) This judgment of a heathen man was sufficient to condemn the gross malice of the Jews.

 

 55  ¶ And many women were there, beholding him afar off, which had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him.

 

 56 Among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

 

 57  ¶ (15) (*) And when the even was come, there came a (♣) rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who had also himself been Jesus’ disciple.

 

(15) Christ is buried, not privily or by stealth, but with the governor's consent by a famous man, in a place not far distant, in a new sepulcher, so that it cannot be doubted of his death.

(*) Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50; John 19:38 .

(♣) Who was so much the more in danger by declaring himself to be Jesus’ disciple.

 

 58 He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

 

 59 So Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

 

 60 And put it in his new (*) tomb, which he had hewn out in a rock, and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.

 

(*) Christ’s burying doeth so much more verify his death and resurrection.

 

 61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulcher.

 

 62  ¶ (16) Now the next day that followed the (*) Preparation of the Sabbath, the high Priests and Pharisees assembled to Pilate,

 

(16) The keeping of the sepulcher is committed to Christ's own murderers, that there might be no doubt of his resurrection.

(*) Which was the day before the Sabbath. (Meaning that Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday, not a Friday.)

 

 63 And said, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, Within three days I will rise.

 

 64 Command therefore, that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest his Disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead, so shall the last (*) error be worse than the first.

 

(*) More will follow his doctrine than did afore he was put to death.

 

 65 Then Pilate said unto them, Ye have (*) a (s) watch; go, and make it sure as ye know.

 

(*) That is, men appointed for the keeping of the Temple.

(s) The soldiers of the garrison, which were appointed to keep the Temple.

 

 66 And they went, and made the sepulcher (*) sure with the watch, and sealed the stone.

 

(*) The more that men go about to subdue Christ’s power the more shew they their own malice, and procure to themselves the greater condemnation, for as much as God’s glory the more appeareth thereby.

 

 

 

Steve

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